Pacific Coast

Mexico

Mazatlan Travel Guide

The holiday destination of Mazatlán is the most important
port on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is also the shrimp capital
of the world, with the largest fleet of commercial shrimp vessels
in Latin America. This attractive city also has the reputation of
being one of Mexico's premier beach holiday resorts. The contrast
between commercial port and tourist resort is interesting and sets
the place apart from other popular resorts. Travellers will find
world-renowned deep sea fishing, miles of lovely beaches, excellent
seafood, a variety of water activities and a choice of
accommodation to suit all tastes. Fondly called the 'Pearl of the
Pacific', Mazatlán boasts Mexico's longest and prettiest
waterfront promenade, or malecon. This is the city's
defining characteristic, and much of the city's life can be viewed
from here.

The colonial old town centre is the heart of Mazatlán,
where the busy main plaza, alongside the 19th-century cathedral
with its blue and gold motifs, and the open-air market, are a hive
of activity. The city emanates a combination of laid-back seaside
charm and affordable luxury, its beaches lined with bars and
outdoor cafés, and the sky above filled with colourful
parasails. Sunbathers and hawkers compete for space on the city
beaches, and fishing vessels and jet skis circulate in
Mazatlán bay.

Mexico is a great place to shop for diamonds because the gems
can be purchased here tax-free. The best place to seek out
jewellery is Mazatlán's Golden Zone (Zona Dorada) tourist
area. The streets of the Golden Zone are a paradise for greedy
shoppers, where jewellery, designer clothes, seashell souvenirs and
almost anything else imaginable can be found within the tiny
boutiques and vast emporiums. The Mazatlán Arts and Crafts
Center is a treasure-trove of handmade goods. Wandering the Central
Market in Old Mazatlán is a colourful shopping experience,
with busy street food stalls under bright umbrellas in front of
little stores selling a hodge-podge of crafts, clothing and
novelties. Away from the sea, on the Avenida de los Deportes, is a
large shopping mall, La Gran Plaza, which has a supermarket
stocking essentials. Shops generally open from around 10am and stay
open until late.

Shrimp in every guise is the mainstay of Mazatlán
restaurants. A favourite spot for tasting this tempting crustacean
is the tourist-oriented El Shrimp Bucket on Olas Altas, the
original of the chain of restaurants that has proliferated
throughout Mexico. Great cuisine here is not confined to shrimp,
however: Asian and Italian restaurants abound, along with some
superb authentic Mexican eateries. Favourites among these include
Cenaduria El Túnel, near the Angela Peralta Theatre, famed
for its chicken gorditas and the best pozole (pork stew) in town.
There is a fairly good choice of dining options around the Plazuela
Machado, including the upmarket al fresco Pedro y Lola. For a quick
snack opt for a hotdog or taco from a street stall, or find a cheap
meal at the Central Market where a few restaurants offer
inexpensive daily specials.

Mazatlán, like any busy seaside resort, has a lively
nightlife with a plethora of dance, live music and drinking venues.
Extremely popular are Mexican fiesta theme parties that are
organised by the larger hotels. Most of the nightclubs and popular
pubs are to be found in the Zona Dorada, offering a variety of
music from chilled piano playing to lively local mariachi groups.
One of the favourites for locals, offering sizzling Latin beats, is
Mundo Bananas, on Avenue Camaron Sabalo. The young crowd tend to
favour the Fiesta Land complex at the southern end of the Zona
Dorada, which is packed with restaurants and lively clubs like
Bora-Bora and Valentinos. Those whose tastes run to other than
dancing will find plenty of sports bars, karaoke bars, cocktail
bars, and brew houses in which to spend a fun, social evening.

The focus of daytime fun on holiday in Mazatlán is on the
tourist beaches of the Golden Zone, Playa Camaron and Playa
Gaviotas, which are generally as packed with vendors of all sorts
as they are with sunbathers. Playa Camaron, with its yellow sand
studded with small seashells, lends itself ideally to bodysurfing,
because of its steep drop-off. Further north the beach becomes
Playa Gaviotas and the sand texture becomes smoother and the slope
more gentle, with waves lazily rolling in. All along the beaches it
is possible to indulge in watersports of all sorts, including
parasailing, jet-skiing, hobie-catting and boogie boarding.
Snorkelling is rewarding here, particularly at Deer Island. Also
popular is horse riding, or for those averse to the saddle, a
trundle in a burro-pulled cart. Mazatlán caters particularly
well for keen golfers, who can tee off at the magnificent Estrella
del Mar 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior.

Whatever time of year one visits Mazatlán it is likely
there will be a circus, fair, fiesta or sports tournament on the
go, and the eagerly awaited bullfight season draws the crowds on
Sundays between January and May. Dozens of local tour operators
offer day excursions on sea and land to nearby places of interest
or excitement, like sport fishing for marlin or driving to an
inland village for a leisurely lunch.

Navigation

Mazatlan Travel Guide

The holiday destination of Mazatlán is the most important
port on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is also the shrimp capital
of the world, with the largest fleet of commercial shrimp vessels
in Latin America. This attractive city also has the reputation of
being one of Mexico's premier beach holiday resorts. The contrast
between commercial port and tourist resort is interesting and sets
the place apart from other popular resorts. Travellers will find
world-renowned deep sea fishing, miles of lovely beaches, excellent
seafood, a variety of water activities and a choice of
accommodation to suit all tastes. Fondly called the 'Pearl of the
Pacific', Mazatlán boasts Mexico's longest and prettiest
waterfront promenade, or malecon. This is the city's
defining characteristic, and much of the city's life can be viewed
from here.

The colonial old town centre is the heart of Mazatlán,
where the busy main plaza, alongside the 19th-century cathedral
with its blue and gold motifs, and the open-air market, are a hive
of activity. The city emanates a combination of laid-back seaside
charm and affordable luxury, its beaches lined with bars and
outdoor cafés, and the sky above filled with colourful
parasails. Sunbathers and hawkers compete for space on the city
beaches, and fishing vessels and jet skis circulate in
Mazatlán bay.

Mexico is a great place to shop for diamonds because the gems
can be purchased here tax-free. The best place to seek out
jewellery is Mazatlán's Golden Zone (Zona Dorada) tourist
area. The streets of the Golden Zone are a paradise for greedy
shoppers, where jewellery, designer clothes, seashell souvenirs and
almost anything else imaginable can be found within the tiny
boutiques and vast emporiums. The Mazatlán Arts and Crafts
Center is a treasure-trove of handmade goods. Wandering the Central
Market in Old Mazatlán is a colourful shopping experience,
with busy street food stalls under bright umbrellas in front of
little stores selling a hodge-podge of crafts, clothing and
novelties. Away from the sea, on the Avenida de los Deportes, is a
large shopping mall, La Gran Plaza, which has a supermarket
stocking essentials. Shops generally open from around 10am and stay
open until late.

Shrimp in every guise is the mainstay of Mazatlán
restaurants. A favourite spot for tasting this tempting crustacean
is the tourist-oriented El Shrimp Bucket on Olas Altas, the
original of the chain of restaurants that has proliferated
throughout Mexico. Great cuisine here is not confined to shrimp,
however: Asian and Italian restaurants abound, along with some
superb authentic Mexican eateries. Favourites among these include
Cenaduria El Túnel, near the Angela Peralta Theatre, famed
for its chicken gorditas and the best pozole (pork stew) in town.
There is a fairly good choice of dining options around the Plazuela
Machado, including the upmarket al fresco Pedro y Lola. For a quick
snack opt for a hotdog or taco from a street stall, or find a cheap
meal at the Central Market where a few restaurants offer
inexpensive daily specials.

Mazatlán, like any busy seaside resort, has a lively
nightlife with a plethora of dance, live music and drinking venues.
Extremely popular are Mexican fiesta theme parties that are
organised by the larger hotels. Most of the nightclubs and popular
pubs are to be found in the Zona Dorada, offering a variety of
music from chilled piano playing to lively local mariachi groups.
One of the favourites for locals, offering sizzling Latin beats, is
Mundo Bananas, on Avenue Camaron Sabalo. The young crowd tend to
favour the Fiesta Land complex at the southern end of the Zona
Dorada, which is packed with restaurants and lively clubs like
Bora-Bora and Valentinos. Those whose tastes run to other than
dancing will find plenty of sports bars, karaoke bars, cocktail
bars, and brew houses in which to spend a fun, social evening.

The focus of daytime fun on holiday in Mazatlán is on the
tourist beaches of the Golden Zone, Playa Camaron and Playa
Gaviotas, which are generally as packed with vendors of all sorts
as they are with sunbathers. Playa Camaron, with its yellow sand
studded with small seashells, lends itself ideally to bodysurfing,
because of its steep drop-off. Further north the beach becomes
Playa Gaviotas and the sand texture becomes smoother and the slope
more gentle, with waves lazily rolling in. All along the beaches it
is possible to indulge in watersports of all sorts, including
parasailing, jet-skiing, hobie-catting and boogie boarding.
Snorkelling is rewarding here, particularly at Deer Island. Also
popular is horse riding, or for those averse to the saddle, a
trundle in a burro-pulled cart. Mazatlán caters particularly
well for keen golfers, who can tee off at the magnificent Estrella
del Mar 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior.

Whatever time of year one visits Mazatlán it is likely
there will be a circus, fair, fiesta or sports tournament on the
go, and the eagerly awaited bullfight season draws the crowds on
Sundays between January and May. Dozens of local tour operators
offer day excursions on sea and land to nearby places of interest
or excitement, like sport fishing for marlin or driving to an
inland village for a leisurely lunch.